Talk:Mute Swan

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WikiProject Birds To-do: edit MAJOR taxonomic overhaul (see here) Create Galloanserae For new cat: Category:Natural history of the Americas, replace "Hummingbird" article (by Some collaboration, hopefully) an artcle: along title LINE of: Hummingbirds--the bird of the Americas

I never realized how big these things were until I saw one standing slightly taller than a toddler. A truly amazing bird.

Kelvinc 03:29, 31 Jul 2004 (UTC)

I'm pretty sure these swans breed quite frequently and have become permanent residents in the North East. I saw a few of them while duck hunting in Barnegat Bay NJ, and my friend almost shot one. Since they're feral and compete with the native (and almost extinct) trumpeter swan, maybe he should have.

Cooter08865

We live in Southeastern Massachusetts on the Taunton River. While we've always seen swans in pairs and families, this year they've been traveling in flocks (perhaps families according to this site?). Thank you for this website. I've taken an interest in these beautiful birds and enjoy feeding and observing when they visit. Some are very comfortable walking right up out of the water to us for their snacks.

[edit] Trivia

I am minded to edit the trivia section as follows:

1. move the aggression bit of the second item to the main text, but delete local references to this widespread phenomenon
2. move the poaching bit of the second item to the main text, but delete local references to persecution. The most notorious and best known recent incident was in any case in Malta, rather than the USA
3. delete the final item, unless someone is prepared to vouch for this highly improbable statement.

Let me know if there are any objections. jimfbleak 17:26, 19 Dec 2004 (UTC)

Those all sound good. Except possibly #3 (surprisingly). I agree its rather implausible and was added by an anon on the 7 Dec 2004. However I looked at the same user's additions to the City Island, New York page and they have the air of someone with genuine local knowledge. It looks like the swan can only say one thing - 'good morning', so its just about credible. On the other hand I can't find any other reference to this swan and it is the sort of information that needs additional verification. -- Solipsist 18:35, 19 Dec 2004 (UTC)

I agree with these comments. The third trivia item, "A Mute Swan in City Island, the Bronx, New York, can speak like a Parrot.*[1]" has not been substantiated. The primary source is someones personal yahoo group. That is NOT a credible source. If this was a real story it would be all over the tabloid newspapers. This kind of entry makes wikipedia look like an unreliable source of information. David D. 00:07, 15 July 2005 (UTC)

So there are no objections to the trivia that that a swan can speak like a parrot being deleted? Is there is a newspaper article or similar report to corroborate this claim? I would be happy for it to stay if there is a secondary source. David D. 23:05, 16 July 2005 (UTC)

Sounds alright to me. It may be true, but it needs to be verifiable (e.g. a reference). If you are not totally comfortable deleting it, you can always move it to a section in this talk page, with a note that it is awaiting references. -- Solipsist 00:15, 17 July 2005 (UTC)

This is the disputed trivia piece that used to be on the main page. This does not belong on the main page unless someone can come up with a secondary source. Citing someone’s personal web page is not enough evidence to be in wikipedia.

A Mute Swan in City Island, the Bronx, New York, can speak like a Parrot.*[2] David D. 19:42, 17 July 2005 (UTC)

Perhaps the swans are willing to speak up on their own behalf? RoySmith 01:22, 17 July 2005 (UTC)

Hi!,

I hope you like the linx I put for the Bell Ringing Swans of Wells Cathedral in Glastonbury. It was very hard to find these images and any mention of them on the net. I live on City Island, Bronx, New York and I have seen Audrey speak with my own eyes! I do have witnesses who are being Sworn to make an Affidavit. You will not find anything on the net about her. I did find some info that said that back in the Middle Ages there were reports of a talking or speaking Swan. There were legends that were considered myth, up until a few years ago. I will post the linx to it as soon as I find them. These Mute Swans stand 4 feet all or more! They have a wingspan as wide as an Albatross. Do NOT pet the Swans as they can bite your fingers off!

Supercool Dude, City Island N.Y.

[edit] Title

Why is "Swan" capitalised? Shouldn't this be at Mute swan? TheMadBaron 06:13, 9 June 2006 (UTC)

It is a long-standing and agreed convention, after extensive discussion, that all bird species are fully capitalised on the wikipedia. jimfbleak 06:31, 9 June 2006 (UTC)

Okay. Thanks. TheMadBaron 06:39, 9 June 2006 (UTC)

I want to react on the statement that "a swan can bite a finger of" Many times I can not resist the temptation of trying out and until so far I still have all my fingers! The pick of the swan feels like a peg on the finger. I must agree that at first a swans aggressive behaviour is certainly a bit frightening. Most of this behaviour is because of the frightened and with drawl reaction of most children and (city) folks. I think it is not a bad idea to learn them that some people might not be frightened at all. The swans can learn this very quickly, usually when I pass them a second time they keep aloof. I hope someone else can give his experience in this regard.

[edit] Behaviour

Nobody will believe me ("Wikipedia not be research. Be common opinion and authority") but ... some observations:

- They seem to be not exceedingly bright. They actually hiss at you when you feed them and they really need it and want it badly. - They seem to have rather limited eyesight. In the situation described above, about 50% of food did not get picked up from the earth it had fallen to. They seem not to notice and/or try garbage pieces instead. Rather myopic maybe. - A nice trait on them seems to be that they really, really hate and despise dogs. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 145.253.2.232 (talk) 14:13, 13 February 2007 (UTC).

There is no way in hell that any creature weighing less than 50 pounds can break somebody's arm with one hit. This needs to be removed.